We took a 12-Day Hong Kong Cruise; one of the ports we stopped to visit was Taipei, Taiwan. When we arrived, we took a Taipei City Tour visiting the following five locations:
- National Palace Museum
- National Revolutionary Martyrs’ Shrine
- Grand Hotel
- Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall
- 101 Skyscraper
The National Palace Museum
The National Palace Museum is the most extensive & most fine collection of Chinese Art. This museum is incredible, Spectacular pieces of art, the amount of Chinese treasures they have here is well-curated. Gives you an insight into Chinese art and culture.
Chinese guardian lions at the entrance of the Palace.
The museum is a treat for history buffs—well-organized sections on different floors. The audio guides were informative and precise. It is a bit overwhelming because they have many everything; rooms and rooms of jade figurines, including the Jadeite Cabbage with insects (1644-1911).
I really like the Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall! It is an exquisite Taiwanese monument with a gorgeous blue roof and white walls. The entrance is monumental! The change of guard is every hour on the hour. There is no entrance fee. This is by far the best place to see Taiwan’s changing of guards, simply because of the area’s expanse. It takes place every hour, so be sure to get there at the right time. (15 minutes before).
The Grand Hotel
There is nothing more iconic in Taipei than the Grand Hotel. The Grand Hotel features a palace-inspired exterior of golden roof tiling and red columns. The Red carpet in the lobby is very nice. A very grand entrance and staircase. Impressive. The orchid centerpiece inside the lobby was spectacular – everyone took pictures of it. The restaurant was full of customers having a late lunch set.
Stopped for lunch, the Buffet spreads are served at the Grand Garden Restaurant, the food was presented wonderfully.
What a wonderful place to visit, and waiting to get the door for you with a beautiful smile is the young doorman.
This memorial hall was built in memory of Chiang Kai-shek, the Republic of China’s first president. Work on the theater began in 1976, a year after President Chiang passed away. Designed by C.C. Yang, who was also the architect for The Grand Hotel. The National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is the most famous national monument and one of Taiwan’s landmarks. A must-visit destination if we go to Taipei, Taiwan.
The museum showcases everything about President Chiang Kai-Shek, from his personal life to the civil war between his Nationalist government and Mao’s communist government in China. It also shows all the medals he had received, the car he was chauffeured in, and the clothes he wore during his lifetime. This car traced back to 1972-1975, and it was the final car used by President Chiang Kai-shek. The sedan chair used to carry Chiang when he inspected military bases on and around Taiwu Mountain in Kinmen.
On July 20, 1950, General MacArthur visited Taiwan after the Korea War began, reaffirming US Military support to Taiwan. This is a photo of Eleanor Roosevelt in front of the White House with Madame Chiang Kai-shek in February 1943.
A bronze statue of Chiang looks west symbolically to the Presidential Office Building and mainland China. The front plaza of the hall is also a major venue for democratic assemblies.
Taipei 101
Taipei 101 is a symbol of modern Taiwan. Nearly 1,500 feet, this skyscraper was once the tallest in the world. At 101 stories high, Taiwan’s tallest skyscraper boasts spectacular views and high-end shopping boutiques, including Gucci, Prada, and Louis Vuitton. There’s also a Din Tai Fung on the basement level.
